ANESTHETIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR PEDIATRIC CHEST TRAUMA

Thoracic trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The anesthesiologist needs to be prepared to manage such pediatric patient who may have severe multisystem injuries with underlying respiratory derangements, ongoing blood loss, and cardiac dysfunction. Many principles used in adult patients can be applied in pediatric patients; however the unique anatomy and physiology of children must always be remembered. For pediatric patients timely resuscitation and optimal care to avoid secondary injury is a considerable challenge for any anesthesiologists. Prevention of childhood injury remains the cornerstone of reducing the number of children who present for posttraumatic surgical intervention. Beyond prevention, the next best step is the accurate diagnosis and treatment of traumatic injury. Anesthesiologists contribute to this step by providing timely resuscitation and optimal care to avoid secondary injury.